National Carbon Offset Standard Carbon Neutral Program

Public Disclosure Summary

2018-19

1 / 2018-19 Public Disclosure Statement

Contents

Declaration ................................................................................................................. 2

1. Carbon neutral information ...................................................................................... 3

Introduction ........................................................................................................... 3

The City of Sydney Council...................................................................................... 3

Greenhouse gases .................................................................................................. 4

Emission sources within certification boundary ........................................................ 4

Geographic boundary ............................................................................................ 4

Organisational boundary ....................................................................................... 5

Operational boundary ........................................................................................... 6

2. Emissions reduction measures .................................................................................. 8

Part A. Emissions over time ..................................................................................... 8

Part B. Emissions reduction strategy ...................................................................... 10

Part C. Emissions reduction actions ....................................................................... 12

3. Emissions summary ............................................................................................... 14

4. Carbon offsets ...................................................................................................... 15

Part A. Offsets summary ....................................................................................... 15

Part B. Offsets purchasing and retirement strategy ................................................. 15

5. Use of trade mark.................................................................................................. 15

2 / 2018-19 Public Disclosure Statement

Declaration

To the best of my knowledge and having met the requirements of the National Carbon Offset

Standard Carbon Neutral Program (NCOS CNP), the information provided in this report is true

and correct.

Date 5/12/2019

Kim Woodbury

Chief Operating Officer

Type of carbon neutral certification: Organisation

Verification

Date of most recent external verification/audit: December 2019

Auditor: Pangolin Associates

3 / 2018-19 Public Disclosure Statement

1. Carbon neutral information

Introduction

In 2007 the City of Sydney Council resolved to become carbon neutral for its own properties and

operations. Since 2008 the organisation has been measuring and reducing energy and

greenhouse gas emissions, installing and using renewable energy, and purchasing carbon credits

for emissions which cannot be avoided.

In November 2011, the City’s carbon neutrality was officially recognised under the National Carbon

Offset Standard NCOS) and this has been retained annually.

Our target is to reduce our 2006 emissions by 70 per cent by 2030 with an interim target of 44

per cent by 2021. We are serious about achieving ambitious targets in order to mitigate climate

change impacts. Emissions avoidance and reduction is our highest priority, and the City has many

programs underway.

This inventory has been prepared based on the National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS). For

emissions that cannot be avoided in the immediate term, the City purchases offsets recognised

also by the National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS). It pertains to greenhouse gas emissions

released due to activities associated with City of Sydney Council operations in the period of 1-July

2018 to 30-June 2019. The gross emissions during this period were 39,354 tCO2e.

The City of Sydney Council

The City of Sydney is the local government authority responsible for the city centre and more than

30 suburbs. The City of Sydney’s role is to provide services for our residents as well as for the daily

influx of workers and visitors. On any given day, Sydney’s population swells to more than a million

people.

The core functions of the City are defined by the Local Government Act 19931, the City of Sydney

Act 19882 and other legislation. A non-exhaustive overview of City of Sydney services and facilities

include:

Aquatic centres

Community centres, services and facilities

Domestic waste service

Economic development

Events and sponsorships

Health and building inspections

Infrastructure (roads, footways, drainage, street lighting)

Parking services

Parks and open space

Strategic planning and development consent

Sustainability

1 http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/act/1993/30 2 http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/inforce/e7c1b3ab-b509-e447-af90-f93662ed3bbf/1988-48.pdf

4 / 2018-19 Public Disclosure Statement

The City owns approximately 250 properties, many of which are tenanted. The City also owns over

8,500 street lights and there are a further 13,000 street lights owned by the electricity network

provider but deemed to be within the City’s financial control (pays for energy and maintenance).

The City’s operations are mostly run out of a main administration building, multiple depots, parks,

libraries, venues and community centres.

Organisational targets developed through Sustainable Sydney 2030 and the City’s Environmental

Action Plan include 44 per cent reduction of 2006 greenhouse gas emissions by 2021 and 70 per

cent by 2030.

A new agreement with renewable energy company Flow Power will ensure all City of Sydney

operations, including pools, sports fields, depots and buildings, including the historic Sydney Town

Hall, will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy from July 2020.

This will ensure that the City is on track to meet its 2021 and 2030 operational emission targets.

Sustainable Sydney 2030 proposes a Green, Global and Connected city and has significantly

increased the expectations and service delivery by the City of Sydney.

This report is about the processes and results of the City of Sydney being a carbon neutral

organisation, and it does not refer to the Local Government Area (LGA).

Greenhouse gases

The City of Sydney greenhouse gas emissions inventory includes the gases covered by the

UNFCCC/Kyoto Protocol including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O),

hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorinated carbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and

nitrogen trifluoride (NF3). However, there are no known sources of PFCs, SF6 or NF3 relevant to

the City’s operations.

The City includes greenhouse gas emissions from the ozone depleting R22 refrigerant within its

inventory. This is an option accorded within the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Required Greenhouse

Gases in Inventories - Accounting and Reporting Standard Amendment Feb 2013. Until R22 is

phased out it will continue to be a source of greenhouse gas emissions and is therefore included.

Emission sources within certification boundary

Our emissions boundary is based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting and

Reporting Standard. It includes all Scope-1 and Scope-2 emissions as well as a range of Scope-3.

Geographic boundary

The City of Sydney local government area (LGA) covers 26.15 square kilometres of inner Sydney

from Sydney Harbour at Rushcutters Bay to Glebe and Annandale in the west, Sydney Park and

Rosebery in the south, and Centennial Park and Paddington in the east. This inventory pertains to

providing local government services to constituents in the geographical area shown in Figure 1.

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Figure 1 – Local Government Area

Organisational boundary

The City of Sydney organisational boundary includes emissions sources where the City is

considered to have operational control, as defined by the National Greenhouse and Energy

Reporting Act 20083 and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol – A Corporate Accounting and Reporting

Standard guidance, chapters 3 and 44, for emissions resulting in the delivery of services where

the City has capacity to implement environmental policies.

For the City of Sydney, this means services required under the Local Government Act 1993 and

Sustainable Sydney 2030 and includes core business, statutory responsibilities, service provision,

Council facilities, services and other assets as depicted in Figure 2.

Figure 2 - Organisational boundary

3 http://www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/greenhouse-gas-measurement/nger 4 http://www.ghgprotocol.org/standards/corporate-standard

6 / 2018-19 Public Disclosure Statement

Operational boundary

Operational control is the predominant control approach as described above. In accordance with

the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2008, Section 11, the City includes all Scope-1

and Scope-2 emissions based on aggregated data for facilities and core activities. In addition,

there are a range of Scope-3 emissions sources. Figure 3 shows all emissions that have been

included or excluded.

The City has chosen to include other emissions sources which are within its financial control (e.g.

fuel emissions from major contractors).

The definitions for Scope-1, Scope-2 and Scope-3 emissions have been interpreted from the

National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS) Version 3, November 2017 and the Greenhouse Gas

Protocol – A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard guidance, chapters 3 and 45.

Figure 3: Diagram of the certification boundary

5 http://www.ghgprotocol.org/standards/corporate-standard

SCOPE-2

Indirect emissions

Combustion of

fossil-fuels off-site to

provide mains

electricity for City-

owned and

managed buildings,

parks and street

lighting.

SCOPE-3

Indirect emissions

Disposal of City waste.

(including some tenancy waste

where City has control).

Combustion of aviation fuel for

business travel flights.

Combustion of liquid petroleum

gas fuel for work taxi trips.

Business travel accommodation.

Combustion of diesel, gasoline,

ethanol, biodiesel and liquid

petroleum gas used by major

outsourced services.

Paper used by the City.

Extraction, production and

transport of fuels used by fleet and

major outsourced activities.

Extraction, production,

transmission and distribution of

electricity and gas used by City

and Ausgrid-owned and managed

buildings, parks & street lighting.

Emissions resulting from New

Year’s Eve event.

Water usage

Combustion of fossil-fuels off-site

to provide mains electricity for

Ausgrid-owned and managed

street lighting

SCOPE-1

Direct emissions

Combustion of diesel,

gasoline, ethanol,

biodiesel and liquid

petroleum gas used

by the City’s fleet.

Combustion of diesel

on-site for stationary

energy used in City-

owned and managed

buildings.

Combustion of

natural gas on-site

used in City-owned

and managed

buildings and City-

managed parks.

Fugitive emissions

from City-owned and

managed buildings

commercial air-

conditioning.

NON-QUANTIFIED

Indirect emissions

Business travel by public transport or rental vehicles.

City of Sydney Events other than New Year’s Eve.

ICT equipment, consumables, repairs, maintenance and communications.

Minor outsourced activities.

Freight and transportation of purchased materials or goods.

Food and catering.

Postage and courier services

EXCLUDED

Indirect emissions

Employee commute to and from work.

Embodied energy of road and building materials.

Third party events at City of Sydney facilities.

Waste from tenancies not serviced by City of Sydney

Waste from contractor construction.

NF3

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The City of Sydney includes many Scope-3 emissions sources within its inventory. Some Scope 3

emissions sources are non-quantified for reasons in accordance with Section 4.2.3 of the National

Carbon Offset Standard, including:

Emissions likely to be negligible (relative to other Scope 3 emissions);

If determining emissions is not currently possible given available technology;

If determining emissions will be very costly relative to their likely significance;

If there is insufficient data.

Scope-3 emissions for postage/ courier services and food/ beverage services are non-quantified

for inventory reporting. Data for these items is insufficient for accurate reporting purposes, and

based on the information that is available, it is estimated with confidence that these items

represent less than 1% of total emissions.

Scope-3 emissions for employee commute are excluded for inventory reporting. Because it is

beyond the City’s control to influence these emission sources, emissions from employee commute

have not been included in the City’s inventory. These emissions have been estimated to comprise

approximately 6% of the City’s total inventory.

It is not considered that the Scope-3 exclusions compromise the overall integrity of the reported

inventory. The City of Sydney has publicly tested its emissions reduction targets and carbon

neutral assertions within the media, local and international events and programs such as the C40

Cities Climate Leadership Group and the CDP Cities Carbon Disclosure Project. Review of other

local and international Governments at varying stages of carbon neutrality has not identified any

material emissions sources which are not reported by the City of Sydney.

Contractors fuel usage

Emissions from Contractors Fuel usage have been included within the City’s inventory as Scope-3

emissions since 2006. Contractor emissions are outside of the City’s operational control however

are included on the basis that they are providing core local government services that would

otherwise need to be provided by the City. These emissions have been calculated using Scope-1

+ Scope-3 emissions factors based on the amount and type of fuel used by contractors. However

they are reported as Scope-3 emissions within the City’s inventory as they have been produced

by third-parties and there are data quality uncertainties.

While the NGER Legislation6 requires contractors to provide activity data to relevant reporting

entities, the Legislation does not discuss the contractor’s responsibility for data accuracy. City of

Sydney has always formally and clearly requested the required data from its contractors in a

suitable manner. However, it is difficult for City of Sydney to ensure the quality of this data.

6 Source: NGER Legislation and Contractors/Subcontractors (http://environmentalaccounting.org.au/wp-

content/uploads/2013/10/NGER-Contractors-Reporting-Paper.pdf)

8 / 2018-19 Public Disclosure Statement

2. Emissions reduction measures

Part A. Emissions over time

Figures 4 and 5 and Tables 1 and 2 show year-on-year changes to the City’s greenhouse gas

emissions by scope and by major business unit since 2005/06 - the year against which the City’s

greenhouse gas reduction target was established through Sustainable Sydney 2030.

In previous NCOS reports a 2010/11 base year was used. From 2013/14 report, the 2005/06 base

year has been used for consistency with Sustainable Sydney 2030, City of Sydney Master Plans,

sustainability programs, the bi-annual Green Report, Corporate Plan reporting and other

communications channels.

The 2005/06 base year emissions inventory received independent assurance to the same level as

required for certification under the National Carbon Offset Standard, to a reasonable level for

Scope 1 and 2 emissions, and to a limited level for Scope 3 emissions.

There have been no material changes to the emissions boundary since 2005/06. Business travel

accommodation and water, which were not included in the baseline reporting year sum up to less

than 1.3 per cent of the whole inventory.

The base year inventory will be re-calculated when changes to emissions factors, improved

methodologies or data sources, boundaries, or other causes are deemed to result in a significance

threshold change to total emissions of five per cent or greater. The base year inventory will not

be recalculated for organic growth or decline in assets or services that are owned or controlled

by the Council.

There is always statistical uncertainty associated with GHG source data, resulting from natural

variations or human errors in the measurement process, and fluctuations in data measurement

methods or equipment. An estimate of the data uncertainty for the City of Sydney has been carried

out in accordance with the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Measurement)

Determination 2008 and the GHG Protocol. The statistical uncertainty associated with emission

data collected and analysed for the City of Sydney for the 2018-19 reporting period is 5.24%.

Total greenhouse gas emissions have reduced by 25.7 per cent since 2006. The percentage

reductions are greater for some specific sectors, for example greenhouse gas emissions from our

buildings are approximately 30 per cent below 2006 levels.

Annual progress toward the City’s interim 2021 target and the target for 2030 to reduce

greenhouse gas emissions by 70 per cent are shown in the following tables and charts.

Table 1 – Annual emissions by scope

Tonnes

C02e

2005/06

BASELINE

Year-1

2009/10

Year-2

2010/11

Year-3

2011/12

Year-4

2012/13

Year-5

2013/14

Year-6

2014/15

Year 7

2015/16

Year 8

2016/17

Year 9

2017/18

Year 10

2018/19

Scope-1 4,053 4,744 4,449 4,649 4,174 4,539 4,626 4,736 6,515 6,933 6,752

Scope-2 37,760 35,073 33,821 31,835 29,633 28,109 27,812 26,111 25,208 25,375 25,456

Scope-3 11,159 10,213 10,066 10,217 10,137 8,121 7,766 8,719 7,877 7,345 7,146

TOTAL 52,972 50,030 48,336 46,701 43,945 40,769 40,204 39,566 39,600 39,653 39,354

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Figure 4 – Annual emissions by scope

Table 2 – Annual emissions by major type

Tonnes

C02e 2005/06

BASELINE Year-1

2009/10

Year-2

2010/11

Year-3

2011/12

Year-4

2012/13

Year-5

2013/14

Year-6

2014/15

Year-7

2015/16

Year-8

2016/17

Year-9

2017/18

Year-10

2018/19

Buildings 28,775 25,203 24,718 23,150 21,847 19,711 20,468 18,996 20,616 20,034 20,495

Street

Lighting 15,131 15,269 14,783 14,653 13,730 12,404 11,942 11,382 11,103 11,515 10,975

Parks 2,502 2,878 2,578 2,468 2,197 2,206 1,824 1,648 1,633 1,754 1,666

Fleet 2,669 3,225 3,175 2,710 2,373 2,417 2,293 2,244 2,156 2,245 2,081

Other 3,896 3,455 3,082 3,720 3,798 4,031 3,677 5,296 4,092 4,105 4,137

TOTAL 52,972 50,030 48,336 46,701 43,945 40,769 40,204 39,566 39,600 39,653 39,354

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Figure 5 – Annual emissions by major type

Part B. Emissions reduction strategy

The emissions reduction strategy focusses on the City’s planned or intended actions to achieve its

target to reduce 2006 emissions by 70 per cent by 2030. This is an absolute target, based on the

City playing its fair share to constrain global average temperature increases to below 2 degrees

Celsius.

In the first instance, the City will continue to deploy energy efficiency and solar PV as part of its

current tenders and commitments. In addition the City will continue to identify feasible

opportunities to reduce emissions through technologies, management practices and the design

and operation of its properties and other assets.

A new agreement with renewable energy company Flow Power will ensure all City of Sydney

operations, including pools, sports fields, depots and buildings, including the historic Sydney Town

Hall, will be powered by 100% renewable energy from July 2020.

This will ensure that the City is on track to meet its 2021 and 2030 operational emissions targets.

Figure 6 shows that the majority of emissions are from electricity which reflects the highly

emissions intensive NSW grid due mostly to coal-fired generation. The majority of emissions

reductions achieved to date, as well as future savings, will come by reducing grid electricity

through energy efficiency and renewable energy.

11 / 2018-19 Public Disclosure Statement

Figure 6 – Electricity and non-electricity emissions

Figures 7 shows the emissions reduction tasks for achieving the City’s interim 2020 and longer

term 2030 targets. Targets are not annualised, rather the dotted line in the graphs provides an

indicative straight line trajectory between the base year and target years.

Figure 7 – Target trajectories 2020 & 2030

12 / 2018-19 Public Disclosure Statement

Part C. Emissions reduction actions

Emissions reduction measures implemented in the current reporting period 2018/19 are shown in table 3.

Table 3. Emissions reduction measures

Emission

source

Status Reduction measure and calculation

method

Scope Status during the reporting period Overall* Project

Reduction

(t CO2-e)

Solar photovoltaic Install in

progress

Tender to install approximately 2MW of solar PV

to City-owned sites. The City’s Events Depot was

commissioned early leading to an acceleration

in savings.

2 & 3 Installation in progress.

2,359

Portfolio changes Continuing Portfolio changes take in to account additional

facilities. Green Square Library and Community

Centres were commissioned during this period

2 & 3 In progress

Grid emissions Continuing Greening of the grid means that emissioin

factors are anticipated to improve year on year.

2 & 3 Continuing

Estimated -2%

Energy and water

at major

properties

In progress Major Properties Efficiency Project (MPEP)

includes energy and water improvement

projects at fourteen City of Sydney sites, which

account for almost 80 per cent of the City’s total

energy and water consumption.

1-3 In progress 1,928

Water

management

In progress Parks Water Saving Action Plan will further

identify efficiency measures, development of

alternative water sources, improved

3 In progress Not quantified

13 / 2018-19 Public Disclosure Statement

Emission

source

Status Reduction measure and calculation

method

Scope Status during the reporting period Overall* Project

Reduction

(t CO2-e)

management practices, new technologies and

improvements to monitoring and reporting.

The rectification of leaks, management of

previously unidentified accounts and

normalising of irrigation changes also provide

improvement opportunities.

Waste In progress Recycling of waste from City parks, streets and

public places continues to increase as a result of

changes to waste processing contracts that

divert organic waste from public litter and

stormwater material from landfill. City properties

Wate Improvement Program appears to be

resulting in improvements in avoidance and

recycling.

3 In progress Not quantified

* Overall project reduction (tCO2e) shown.

14 / 2018-19 Public Disclosure Statement

3. Emissions summary

Emission sources and totals for the period 2018/19 are listed in table 4.

Table 4. Emissions inventory

SCOPE 1 Emission source Scope Activity data t CO2-e

Natural gas in Buildings & Parks 1 75,418,466MJ 3,886

Transport diesel & biodiesel (post 2004 vehicles fleet) 1 792,140 kL 1,855

Transport ULP & ethanol (post 2004 vehicles) 1 56,324 kL 125

Refrigerants 1 514 kg 882

Stationary diesel 1 1,290 kL 3

Total Gross Emissions (Rounding applied) 6,752

SCOPE 2 Emission source Scope Activity data t CO2-e

Purchased electricity for buildings, parks & street lighting 2 31,997,150kWh 25,917

Solar PV / Combined cooling, heat and power (CCHP) Exports 2 569,649kW -461

Total Gross Emissions (Rounding applied) 25,456

SCOPE 3 Emission source Scope Activity data t CO2-e

Purchased electricity for buildings, parks & street lighting 3 31,997,150kWh 2,880

Natural gas for buildings & parks 3 75,418,566 MJ 965

Transport diesel (post 2004 vehicles) 3 792,141 kL 94

Transport ULP fleet (post 2004 vehicles) 3 56,324 kL 7

Contractor diesel 3 398,402kL 1,139

Contractor biodiesel 3 0 kL 0

Contractor ULP 3 53,382kL 130

Business travel – flights 3 Flight distances 179.8

Business travel – accommodation 3 Hotel nights 2.9

Business travel - taxis 3 37,247 km 11

Stationary diesel 3 1,290 kL 0.2

Municipal solid waste 3 730 t waste 876

New Year’s Eve event 3 Event inventory 662

Paper (A4, A3 & plotter) 3 8,993 reams 56

Water 3 474,630 kL 242

Solar PV / Combined cooling, heat and power (CCHP) Exports 3 569,649 kW -51

Carbon neutral certified paper 3 7,781 -48

Total Gross Emissions (Rounding applied) 7,146

Total Net Emissions 39,354

15 / 2018-19 Public Disclosure Statement

4. Carbon offsets

Part A. Offsets summary

The City ensures information about its carbon neutral program - including offset certificates - is

transparent and available for public scrutiny on its website www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/carbon.

Offsets are purchased and retired in arrears at the end of the reporting period.

Offset retirements that relate to the current reporting period 2018/19 are shown in table 5.

For the 2018/19 year City of Sydney total net emissions were 39,354 tonnes C02e however the

City purchased slightly over this amount of offsets in order to be carbon positive.

Table 5 - Offsets Summary

Offset

type

Registry Date of

retirement

Vintage Quantity

(tCO2e)

Serial Number

CER CDM 27/11/2019 2014 100 CER MW51558602209933 to MW51559592209933

Click here to view carbon offset retirement

ACCU ANREU 3/12/2019 2016 1,000 ACCU 3,785,959,893 - 3,785,960,892

Click here to view carbon offset retirement

VCU APX VCS 28/11/2019 2013 38,900

VCU 6615-327770565-327809464-VCU048-APX-IN-1-1291-

01012013-31122013-0

Click here to view carbon offset retirement

Total 40,000

Offsets retired 2018/19 39,354

Banked for future years 646

Part B. Offsets purchasing and retirement strategy

Offsets are purchased and retired in arrears at the end of the reporting period.

5. Use of trade mark

Table 1. Trade mark register

Where used Logo type Link

City of Sydney Green Reports Certified organisation www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/GreenReport

City of Sydney website Certified organisation www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Carbon